Teddie Beverley, the last surviving member of the popular 1950s vocal trio the Beverley Sisters, has died at the age of 99. Alongside her sisters Joy and Babs, she found fame with hits such as I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus and Little Donkey.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born Hazel Pamela Chinery in Bethnal Green, east London, on 5 May 1924, Teddie was the twin of Babs (Babette). Their parents, Victoria (née Miles) and George Chinery, had worked the music halls as Coram and Mills. During the second world war, the family moved to Northamptonshire. The twins and their elder sister, Joy, initially performed as the Chinery Sisters, with Joy handling melodies. A coin toss determined their vocal parts: Babs chose first soprano harmony, leaving Teddie with the lower harmony—a division they maintained throughout their career.
Rise to Fame
After being recommended to BBC producer Cecil Madden by photographer Jock Ware, they adopted the name the Beverley Sisters in 1945. They left their jobs as typists and became regulars on radio shows like Variety Bandbox and Workers’ Playtime. In 1947, they appeared in a Pathé short singing Her Bathing Suit Never Got Wet. They later supported Bob Hope and Danny Kaye at the London Palladium and performed in five Royal Variety performances from 1952, often singing Sisters from the film White Christmas.
Recording Success
Their first hit was (Down at the) Ferry Boat Inn in 1951. A planned cover of How Much Is That Doggie in the Window was delayed, allowing Lita Roza to score a number one with it in 1953. Undeterred, the sisters had a Top 10 hit with I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus and became associated with seasonal songs like The Little Drummer Boy and Little Donkey. They were touted as the highest paid British female entertainers throughout the 1950s and 1960s.
Personal Life and Hiatus
Teddie married Peter Felix, a British waterskiing champion and dentist, in 1959. In 1967, when she became pregnant with their daughter Sasha, the sisters decided to retire. They briefly reappeared on This Is Your Life in 1969. After divorcing Peter in 1972, Teddie married millionaire property developer Donald Cottage in 1973, wearing a £40,000 engagement ring once owned by Elizabeth Taylor.
Comeback and Later Years
In 1985, the sisters were encouraged by club owner Peter Stringfellow to update their act. They returned to the stage at the London Hippodrome amid subdued lighting, laser beams, smoke and noise. Teddie remarked: “I felt we were back in the air raids.” They toured with Syd Lawrence and his orchestra, performed in gay clubs, and supported military charities. In 2002, they took part in Queen Elizabeth’s golden jubilee celebrations, toured with Max Bygraves, and performed at D-day 60th anniversary concerts in 2004. The sisters were appointed MBE in 2006, shortly before retiring due to Joy’s ill-health.
Legacy
Teddie was preceded in death by her husband Donald, and her sisters Joy (died 2015) and Babs (died 2018). She is survived by her daughter Sasha and granddaughter Francesca. Teddie Beverley (Hazel Pamela Chinery) died on 17 June 2026.
